Seasonal affective disorder

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Forms of depression

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Seasonal affective disorder

Treatment:

As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective. Light therapy using a special lamp to mimic the spectrum of light from the sun may also be helpful.

Symptoms commonly resolve on their own with the change of seasons.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is good with continuous treatment, though some people may have the disorder throughout their lives.

Complications:

Seasonal affective disorder can sometimes progress to a major depressive syndrome.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you experience symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Review Date: 12/1/2004
Reviewed By: James W. Dilley, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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